At only 21, Olivia Vasilopoulos has already made a name of herself as a fashion model in Greece and Asia. Most recently she graced the cover of Glamour Magazine, Bulgaria, captured by acclaimed Greek fashion photographer Kostas Avgoulis.
Born in Australia to Greek parents, Olivia, who’s father and and mother hail from Mytilene and Argos respectively, has managed to rise to fame not only because of her looks but also thanks to her vibrant personality, her determination, and her education.
Olivia grew up mainly in Hong Kong, where her family emigrated from Australia. It was there that she discovered her love for fashion and modelling and within only one year she managed to rise to fame and become a household name in Asia.
“There are many reasons the Asian market considers me ‘exotic’. I have something that brands here think is different and interesting; I am a chameleon,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“The shape of my body… I am curvy, unlike most models here. Even though I look foreign and I’m not from here, having spent most of my life in Hong Kong, I speak perfect Cantonese and Mandarin, I am familiar with local cultures and traditions. This is quite rare for non-Asian models and a huge advantage given that many photographers or local labels do not speak English or other European languages.”
Olivia “fell into” modelling in 2020, during the pandemic when she returned to Hong Kong after leaving to study Politics and Foreign Languages at Melbourne University. Apart from English, Mandarin and Cantonese, Olivia also speaks Greek and German fluently.
While reminiscing during lockdown she begun to share personal photos from her adventures around the city on Instagram when a big fashion agency contacted her, offering her a contract.
In her third year at Uni, Olivia is already thinking about her new steps; she has developed a new love for photography, something she wants to follow once she finishes her current degree.
Her plan is to travel the world working as a model and then as a photographer and use her social media influence on more than 463,000 followers to raise awareness on poverty and other social issues while doing the best she can to help those around her.
Recently, Olivia, made headlines in Greece following her refusal to join the country’s most popular reality show, Greece’s Next Top Model (GNTM).
Already enjoying being selected for major campaigns and cover shoots in the motherland, Olivia did not want to enter a reality TV show and be cut off from friends and family.
Her most recent work was published in collaboration with famous Greek eco stylist Dimitris Grammatikogiannis in an environmental campaign, posing in iconic spots in Attika that have been devastated by the wildfires.
“I love Greece, and my dream is to live here permanently,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“My yiayia is my weak spot and my parents are my companions in making my dreams a reality and achieving my goals.”
When asked about her long term goals she again reminds us how down to earth and humble she is.
“All I want to to have is my family always with me. My friends and loved ones close by and to find peace and happiness on my path, easily,” she said.
“I want to be able to find a job with meaning. I was lucky enough to have been born in the era of information. There are so many things I have access to and I am passionate about such as doing things that will benefit other women and children. Contribute to the end of poverty and homelessness and finally see Greece’s stunning beaches free from plastic and pollution. I honestly hope I am given the chance to realise my goals.”
